Handrail



April 29, 1969 Filed March 31, 1967 L. BLUM ET AL HANDRAIL Sheet of 2 LOUIS BLUM WILLIAM J. HORGAN,JR.

ATTORNEYS.

April 29, 1969 BLUM ET AL HANDRAIL Sheet Filed March 31. 1967 INVENTORS. LOUIS BLUIVI WILLIAM J. HORGAN, JR.

MIPM

ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent HANDRAIL Louis Blum, 2312 Tilbury St. 15217, and William J.

Horgan, Jr., 1299 Folkstone Drive 15216, both of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Filed Mar. 31, 1967, Ser. No. 627,444 Int. Cl. E04h 17/16, 17/22 US. Cl. 256-65 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A handrail post carries an elongated handrail splice member. Slidably fitted over the opposite end portions of the splice member respectively are a pair of thin walled sleeves, and slidably fitted over these sleeves respectively are the opposed end portions of a pair of handrail sections. Within the opposite end portions of the splice member are locking means operative for enlarging the effective diameters of the sleeves thereby to cause the sleeves to grip the handrail sections and frictionally secure them to the splice member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates generally to handrails, and particularly to improvements in sectional handrails.

Description of the prior art Handrail arrangements of the prior art suffer the disadvantage that the handrail sections must be cut accurately to length, which takes time and is expensive. In addition, assembly of the component parts of prior art handrails normally is a comparatively complicated task.

SUMMARY A hollow end portion of an elongated splice member, a thin-walled sleeve and an end portion of a tubular handrail section are slidably telescoped together. Housed within the hollow of the splice member is an elongated locking piece, one end of which is engaged by a set screw which is threaded through the wall of the hollow and exposed to facilitate application of a screwdriver. The opposite end portion of the locking piece is pressed against a friction shoe which extends through the wall of the hollow and presses against the thin wall of the sleeve, enlarging the effective diameter thereof and thereby causing it to frictionally grip the handrail section to secure it to the splice member. 7

An important object of the invention is to provide a handrail structure wherein a section of the handrail is disposed between each successive pair of posts, and the ends of the handrail sections at each post are joined by a splice member carried directly by the post.

Another object is to provide such a handrail wherein the opposite end portions of the splice member are adjustably telescoped into the ends of the handrail sections and frictionally secured thereto by locking means concealed within the splice member.

Another object is to provide such a handrail wherein the splice member is secured to the post for angular adjustment of the splice member and the handrail sections joined thereby about a horizontal axis.

Another object is to provide such a handrail wherein the posts are sectional, and one section of the post is adjustably telescoped into the other and frictionally secured thereto by concealed locking means.

Another object is to provide such a post wherein the means securing the post sections together is operable by means exposed to facilitate application of a tool.

'ice

Other objects of the invention will become apparent when the following description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation of the handrail constructed in accordance with the invention, part being shown in setcion;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the handrail shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged section on line III-III in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged section on line IV-IV in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged section on line VV in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is an exploded view of the unit shown in the other figures.

It will be understood that the following description is directed to the specific form of the invention shown in the drawings. It is not directed to the scope of the invention, which may be practiced in a variety of forms.

Referring to the drawings, the handrail constructed in accordance with the invention, generally designated 10, comprises a number of handrail sections 12 interconnected by splice members 16. Each end portion of the splice member 16 is centrally bored, as at 18, and thewall of the central bore is provided with an elongated slot 20 which slidably accommodates a friction shoe 22 having rounded opposite end portions 24 and a peaked edge 26. Inserted into the bore 18 is a double tapered cone or catshaped locking piece 28 opposite end portions of which, designated 30 and 32, are tapered down from an intermediate section 34. Each end portion of the splice member 16 is slidably fitted into a thin walled sleeve 35 Which in turn is fitted into one end of a handrail section 12. The sleeve 35 is provided with a radially outwardly extending flange 37 which abuts the end of the handrail section. A set screw 36 extends through the wall of the bore 18 and engages the end 32 of the locking piece 28 whereby to tilt the locking piece and cause the other end 30 thereof to bear upon the peak of the edge 26 of the friction shoe 22. A section of the splice member 16 intermediate the opposite end portions thereof, is undercut on both sides of the splice member, as at 38, whereby to provide a pair of downwardly presenting semicircular shoulders 40 respectively on opposite sides of a semi-circular wall 42. Each face of the wall is grooved, as at 44, to provide a wall area 47 reduced in thickness. The base of the wall is provided with a semicircular recess 49. Each side of the wall is fitted with a disc 51 which is centrally apertured, as at 53, and flanged, as at 55. The flange is recessed, as at 57, to provide an upper half portion 59 which is received by the associated groove 44 and a lower half portion 61 which abuts the lower half portion 61 of the flange 55 of the other disc 51. The central apertures 53 of the discs 51 are concentric with the recess 49 in the base of the wall 42.

The post constructed in accordance with the invention, generally designated 46, is provided with a lower section 48. A thin walled sleeve 50 slidably fitted into the upper end portion of the section 48 is provided with a radially outwardly extending flange 52 seated on the upper terminal edge of the section 48. The post is also provided with an upper section 54 having a lower end portion slidably fitted into the sleeve 50. The lower end portion of the section 54 is centrally bored, as at 56, and the wall of the bore is provided with an elongated slot 58 which accommodates a friction shoe 60 having rounded opposite end portions 62 and with a peaked edge 64. Inserted into the bore 56 is a double tapered cone or cat-shaped locking piece 66 opposite end portions of which, designated 68 and 70, are tapered down from an intermediate section 72. A set screw 74 extends through the wall of the bore 56 and engages the end 68 of the locking piece 66 whereby to tilt the locking piece and cause the other end 70 thereof to bear upon the peak of the edge 64 of the friction shoe 60. The lower end portion of post section 54 fitted into the sleeve 50 is cylindrical. The upper end portion of post section 54 is tapered and has extend ing from the upper terminal portion thereof a lateral extension of the post, designated 80. An end portion of the extension 80 is recessed, as at 82, to fit about the opposed portion of the post section 54, which is rounded off, as at 84, to merge smoothly with the upper surface of the extension 80. The free end of the lateral extension 80 is centrally bored, as at 88, and counterbored, as at 90. A screw, generally designated 92, is provided with a threaded end portion 94 extending from an unthreaded portion 95 under the head 97 of the screw. Under the head is an annular shoulder 96. The head is provided with a central bore 99 terminating in a socket 101 for an Allen wrench. The screw 92 is projected axially into the lateral extension 80, and the end 94 thereof is threaded into the side of the post section 54. A screw 98 is provided with a threaded end 100 extending from an unthreaded portion 103 under the head 105 of the screw. The head 105 is provided with a socket 107 for an Allen wrench. The screw 98 is projected through one of the discs 55, then through the recess 49 in the base of the wall 47 and then through the other disc 55. The end 100 thereof is threaded into the head 97 of the screw 92. A nut 104 is threaded upon the head 105 and is secured by means of a set screw 106.

The lower end portion (not shown) of the post section 48 may be plain, and it may be secured to a separate stem in the same way that the upper end portion thereof is secured to the post section 54.

In assembling the post 46, the locking piece 66 is inserted into the bore 56 with the tapered end 68 leading. Then the friction shoe 60 is inserted into the slot 58 with the peaked edge 64 presenting toward the locking piece 66. Then the sleeve 50 is fitted over the lower end portion of the post section 54. Thus the locking piece 66 is captured in the bore 56 because the clear distance between the friction shoe 60 and the diametrically opposite area of the wall of central bore 56 is less than the greatest diameter of the locking piece 66. The post section 54, locking piece 66, friction shoe 60 and sleeve 50 are then inserted as a unit into the upper end portion of the post section 48. Post section 54 is now adjusted as desired axially relative to post section 48. Then the set screw 74 is threaded in to engage the end 68 of the locking piece 66 and to tilt the locking piece about a point on its greatest diameter and diametrically opposite the shoe 60, as at 110. The locking piece tilts counterclockwise from the broken line to the full line position thereof shown in FIGURE 3, whereupon the end 70 of the locking piece bears upon the peak of the edge 64 and presses the shoe 60 against the wall of the sleeve 50. The wall of the sleeve in turn is pressed against the wall of the lower post section 48. Thus the post sections 48 and 54 are frictionally secured against relative axial shifting movement.

Now the lateral extension 80 of the post is fitted to the upper terminal portion of the upper post section 54, and screw 92 is projected through the bores 90 and 88 and threaded into the side of the post section 54. The shoulder 96 of the screw engages the opposed shoulder at the juncture of the bores 90 and 88 and holds the lateral extension 80 to the upper terminal portion of the post section 54.

In assembling the handrail, one of the locking pieces 28 is inserted in the central bore 18 at one end of the splice member 16. The insertion is made with the end 32 of the locking piece leading. Then the friction shoe 22 is inserted in slot with the peaked edge presenting toward the locking piece. Next the sleeve is fitted over the end of the splice member 16. Thus the locking piece 28 is captured in the bore 18 because the clear distance between the friction shoe 22 and the diametrically opposite area of the wall of the bore 18 is less than the greatest diameter of the locking piece 28. The end of the splice member 16, locking piece 28, friction shoe 22 and sleeve 35 are then inserted as a unit into the handrail section 12, and the splice member 16 is adjusted as desired axially relative to the handrail section 12. Then the set screw 36 is threaded in to engage the end 32 of the locking piece 28 and to tilt the locking piece about a point on its greatest diameter and diametrically opposite the shoe 22, as at 112. The locking piece 28 tilts, whereupon the end 30 of the locking piece bears upon and presses the shoe 22 against the wall of the sleeve 35, which in turn is pressed against the wall of the handrail section 12. Thus the splice member 16 and the handrail section 12 are frictionally secured against relative axial shifting movement.

The screw 98 is now projected through the discs 55 and threaded into the 'head 97 of the screw 92. Then the nut 104 is threaded onto the head of the screw 98 and the set screw 106 is threaded in. The handrail section 12 and splice member 16 may be set at any angle relative to the post.

Now the other handrail section 12 is secured to the other end of the splice member 16 by following the procedure outlined above.

It will be noted that the handrail section 12 is tubular, both ends thereof being plain. There is no necessity for cutting the handrail section to accurate length. The posts are adjustable in length and the entire handrail structure is quickly assembled. In addition, the locking means for frictionally securing the handrail sections together and for securing the post sections together are concealed from view and operable by manipulation of exposed screws.

It will be understood that the friction shoes 22 and 60 may assume forms other than the form shown and described. For example, the shoes may be in the form of elongated pins round in transverse section and slidably received in round holes.

What is claimed is:

1. In a handrail structure, the combination comprising:

(a) a handrail; and

(b) a post comprising:

(1) an upper post section connected to said handrail, said section having a hollow formed in the lower end portion thereof,

(2) a lower post section having an upper end portion slidably fitted over said lower end portion, and

(3) means for frictionall-y locking together said upper and lower post sections, comprising: a friction shoe extending laterally through the wall forming said hollow in said lower end portion of said upper post section, and lever means within said hollow engaging said friction shoe between one end and the fulcrum thereof and holding said friction shoe firmly engaged with said lower post section.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the lever means engaging said friction shoe comprises a rockable locking piece, and a screw threaded into one side of the wall forming said hollow in said lower end portion of said upper post section and bearing on one end portion of said locking piece to rock the same and thereby bring the opposite end portion thereof to bear on said friction shoe.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said locking piece is circular in transverse section and tapered toward each end from a maximum diameter at a section intermediate the ends thereof.

4. In a handrail structure, the combination comprising:

(a) a post, and

(b) a sectional handrail including:

(1) an elongated splice member having a portion intermediate opposite end portions thereof connected to said post,

(2) a pair of handrail sections having opposed end portions slidably fitted respectively over the opposite end portions of said splice member, and

(3) means for frictionally locking said splice member to said handrail sections including (a) a pair of friction shoes respectively extending laterally through the walls of hollows formed in the opposite end portions of said splice member, and

(b) lever means within each of said hollows each engaging a friction shoe between one end and the fulcrum thereof and holding said shoe firmly engaged with said handrail section.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein a pair of sleeve members are slidably fitted respectively over the opposite end portions of the splice member, the opposed end portions of the handrail sections are slidably fitted respectively over said sleeve members, and the sleeve members are deformable in transverse section under the influence of pressure applied in opposite directions on diametrically opposite wall areas thereof respectively by said splice member and friction shoes.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein the lever mean holding each friction shoe in engagement with its associated sleeve member includes a rockable locking piece, and a screw threaded into one side of the splice member and bearing on one end of portion of said locking piece to rock the same and thereby bring the opposite end portion thereof to bear on said friction shoe.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein the locking piece is circular in transverse section and tapered toward each end from a maximum diameter at a section intermediate the ends thereof, and the end portion of the splice member is provided with a cylindrical bore for receiving said locking piece.

8. The combination according to claim 6 wherein the sections of the handrail are disposed in spaced relation thereby to expose a section of the splice member intermediate the opposite end portions thereof, and the screws that rock the locking pieces are threaded through the exposed portion of the splice member.

9. In a handrail structure, the combination comprising:

(a) a handrail, and (b) a post including (1) an upper post section connected to said handrail,

(2) a sleeve member slidably fitted over the lower end portion of said upper post section deformable in transverse section under the influence of pressure applied in opposite directions on diametrically opposite wall areas thereof,

(3) a lower post section having an upper end portion slidably fitted over said sleeve member, and

(4) means for frictionally locking together said upper and lower post sections including (a) a friction shoe extending laterally through the wall of a hollow formed in the lower end portion of said upper post section, and (b) means within said hollow holding said friction shoe firmly engaged with said sleeve member.

10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein the means holding the friction shoe in engagement with the sleeve member includes a rockable locking piece, and a screw threaded into one side of the upper post section and bearing on one end portion of said locking piece to rock the same and thereby bring the opposite end portion thereof to bear on said friction shoe.

11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein the locking piece is circular in transverse section and tapered toward each end from a maximum diameter at a section intermediate the ends thereof, and the lower end portion of the upper post section is provided with a cylindrical bore for receiving said locking piece.

12. The combination according to claim 10 wherein the screw threaded into the side of the upper post section is disposed above the sleeve member and the lower post section and thereby exposed for application of a tool thereto.

13. The invention of claim 4 wherein said lever means operatively holding each friction shoe engaged with its associated handrail section, comprises: 'a locking piece circular in transverse section and tapered toward each end from a maximum diameter at a section intermediate of the ends thereof; and a screw threaded into one side of the splice member and bearing on the tapered portion of one end of said locking piece to lock the same and thereby bring the tapered portion of the other end thereof to bear on said friction shoe.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,926,798 9/1933 Bau-mbach 287-20.3 2,23 8,561 4/1941 Goodyear 287124 X 2,417,654 3/1947 Le Van 287-54 2,433,617 12/ 1947 Marsilius 287-20.3 2,950,015 8/1960 Pataky.

FOREIGN PATENTS 25,491 11/ 1898 Great Britain. 694,053 7/ 1953 Great Britain.

DENNIS L. TAYLOR, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 256-; 287-54 

